Insulation retainer clip

ABSTRACT

A clip is provided for use in retaining insulation in place during the construction of a wall. The clip of this invention is designed so as to be secured to a Z girt and so as to extend over the lower end of an insulation sheet thereabove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cross Reference to Related Application

This is a Divisional Application of application Ser. No. 16/379,088 filed Apr. 9, 2019, entitled INSULATION RETAINER CLIP.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a clip which is used to retain insulation in place during the construction of a wall. Even more particularly, this invention relates to a clip which is used to retain insulation in place before materials are placed over the insulation.

Description of the Related Art

During the construction of a wall, vertically disposed and horizontally spaced-apart studs are secured to a bottom plate and a top plate and extend therebetween. Sheeting is secured to the outer side of the studs and a weather barrier is placed over the exterior of the sheeting. Elongated and horizontally disposed Z girts are then secured to the studs in a vertically spaced-apart manner. Insulation is then positioned between the Z girts. The problem arises as to how to retain the insulation in place in the Z girts until exterior cladding is placed on the exterior of the wall. Many attempts have been made to provide devices to retain the insulation in place but, to the best of Applicant's knowledge, the prior art insulation retaining devices are expensive and difficult to install. Further, the prior art retainer devices do not function properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A clip is provided for retaining insulation in place on a wall under construction before other materials are positioned outwardly of the insulation. The clip of this invention includes a clip attachment and a blade with the clip attachment being bent over one end of the blade to create a space therebetween. The clip is mounted on Z girts so as to extend over the insulation sheets thereabove thereby maintaining the insulation sheets in place. A second and third embodiment of the clip of this invention is also shown and described.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a clip for retaining insulation in place before other materials are positioned on the outer sides of the insulation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip of the type described which is easy to install and which is inexpensive.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a clip of the type described which does not interfere with the installation of cladding materials.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the insulation retaining device;

FIG. 2 is a back view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the slip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a wall assembly under construction which employs the clip of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view of a pair of clips of this invention and the manner in which they are used;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view which illustrates one of the clips of this invention being used to retain the lower end of insulation on a Z girt;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view illustrating insulation being retained in place by a pair of clips of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial side view illustrating a pair of clips of this invention, each of which are retaining insulation in place on a Z girt;

FIG. 10 is a partial side view similar to FIG. 9 which illustrates the manner in which the clip of this invention is mounted on a Z girt;

FIG. 11 is a partial side view of the clips of this invention maintaining vertically disposed sheets of insulation;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the clip of this invention; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the clip of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The clip of this invention is referred to by the reference numeral 10. Clip 10 is formed of steel or aluminum. Clip 10 includes a clip attachment 12 and a long leg or blade 14 having an end 16. Clip attachment 12 has an end 16. Clip attachment 12 and leg 14 define a space 18 therebetween. An optional screw opening 20 is formed in clip attachment 12. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the end 13 of clip attachment 12 is spaced from leg 14. As seen in FIG. 4, leg 14 has an optional screw opening 22 formed therein which registers with screw opening 20.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the clip of this invention and which is identified by the reference numeral 10′. Inasmuch as clip 10′ is substantially identical to clip 10, identical structure on clip 10′ will be designated with “′” Clip 10′ is identical to clip 10 except that clip attachment 12′ has a return portion 22′ which extends into space 18′. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the clip of this invention and which is identified by the reference numeral 10″ Inasmuch as clip 10″ is substantially identical to clip 10, identical structure on clip 10″ will be designated with “″” Clip 10″ is identical to clip 10 except that clip attachment 12″ has a return portion 22″ which is positioned on the outer side of clip attachment 12″.

FIG. 5 illustrates a wall 24 under construction. Wall 24 includes a bottom or base plate 26, a top plate 28 and a plurality of studs 30 which extend vertically between plates 26 and 28 in a horizontally spaced-apart manner. The plates 26, 28 and studs 30 may be comprised of steel, aluminum or wood. The numeral 32 refers to conventional sheeting which is positioned at the outer sides of the studs 30 and which is secured thereto in conventional fashion. Sheeting 32 may be comprised of plywood, gypsum, etc. A conventional weather barrier 34 is positioned at the outer or exterior side of the sheeting 32 in conventional fashion. In some installations, the weather barrier 34 may not be required. An elongated and generally U-shaped channel 36 which includes a base portion 38, an upstanding outer wail 40 and an upstanding inner wall 42 is secured to bottom plate 26 by a plurality of screws 44.

A plurality of elongated and horizontally disposed Z girts 46, which are comprised of steel or aluminum, are secured to the studs 30 in a vertically spaced-apart manner above the channel 36. Each of the Z girts 46 have a vertically disposed upper portion 48, a horizontally disposed wall portion 50 extending outwardly from the lower end of upper portion 48 and a vertically disposed outer wall 52 extending downwardly from the outer end of wall portion 50. The Z girts 46 are secured to the studs 30 by screws 54.

In FIGS. 1-10, the numeral refers to insulation sheets 56 which are vertically disposed and which have an upper end 58 and a lower end 60. The insulation sheets 56, which have any length, are positioned at the outer side of the weather barrier 34 in a vertically disposed manner and in an end-to-end manner. Although the specification states that insulation sheets are positioned in an end-to-end manner in the rows, a single insulation sheet could be substituted for the plurality of insulation sheets in a particular row of insulation. The lowermost row of insulation sheets 56 have their lower ends 60 received in channel 36. Normally, the upper ends 58 of the lowermost insulation sheets 56 will be in a vertical position before a Z girt 46 is secured to the studs 30 at the upper ends 58 of insulation sheets 56. When the upper ends 58 of the lowermost insulation sheets 56 are in position, a Z girt 46, which is the lowermost Z girt 46, will be secured to the studs 30 so that the outer wall 52 of the Z girt 46 will be positioned outwardly of the upper ends 58 of the insulation sheets 56 as seen in FIG. 6. A plurality of Z girts 46 will then be secured to the studs 30 in a horizontally disposed and vertically spaced-apart manner above the lowermost Z girt 46.

The next row of insulation sheets 56 above the lowermost row of insulation sheets 56 have their upper ends 58 thereof received between the inner surface of the outer wall 52 of the Z girt 46 thereof and below the wall portion 50 thereof. The lower ends 60 of the insulation sheets 56 rest upon the wall portion 50 of the Z girt 46 therebelow. A plurality of clips 10 are then secured to the lower end of outer wall 52 as seen in FIG. 9 so that the blades 14 of the clips 10″ engage the outer side of the lower end of the insulation sheets 56 to maintain the insulation sheets 56 in position. The installation process is continued as set forth above until the wall 24 is fully constructed. Once completed, cladding may be positioned at the outer sides of the insulation sheets 56 in conventional fashion.

If desired, self-tapping screws may be extended through opening 22 in blade 14 and through opening 20 in blade attachment 12. In any case, the clip attachment 12 and the blade 14 frictionally embrace the lower portion 52 of the respective Z girt 46. If the clip 10′ is used, the return 23′ adds to the frictional engagement of the clip 10′ to the lower portion 52 of the respective Z girt 46. If the clip 10″ is employed, the return 23″ engages the associated insulation sheets 56 to maintain the clip 10″ in place.

The use of clips 10, 10′ and 10″ in combination with the Z gills 46, maintain the insulation sheets 56 in place before materials such as cladding are placed over the insulation. The clips 10, 10′ and 10″ do not interfere with materials being placed thereover.

It can therefore be seen that a novel clip 10 has been provided for maintaining or retaining the insulation sheets 56 in place prior to other materials being placed over the insulation sheets 56.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a wall system wherein the Z girls 46 are vertically disposed and horizontally spaced-apart and wherein the insulation sheets 56 are vertically disposed. In FIG. 11, the right-hand Z girl 46 would be installed first on a stud 30. An insulation sheet 56 would be positioned so that one side, or end, would be positioned with respect to the right-hand Z girt 46. After the insulation sheets 56 are so positioned, the Z girt 46 to the left of the right-hand Z girt would be attached to a stud 30.

A second Z girt 46 would then be secured to a stud 30 to the left of the first Z girt 46. The left side or end of a second insulation sheet 36 would be positioned in the second Z girt 46 as seen in FIG. 11. Clips 10 would then be secured to first Z girt 46 as illustrated in FIG. 11 so the blades of the clips 10 extend over the free end of the second insulation sheet 56 to maintain the second insulation sheet 56 in place. The proceeding is repeated until the outer side of the wall is covered by insulation.

Although the wall assembly is shown to include studs, sheeting and a weather barrier, the wall assembly could be constructed without the sheeting and weather barrier. Further, the wall could be constructed of a pre-cast material or concrete blocks. In such a case, the Z girts 46 would be secured to the exterior of the pre-cast material or the concrete block.

Further, although the Z girts 46 are described as being comprised of steel or aluminum, the Z girts 46 may be comprised of fiberglass or the like.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

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 18. In combination: a Z girt; an insulation retainer clip, comprising: (a) an elongated flat blade portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface; (b) an elongated and straight clip attachment portion extending from said second end of said elongated flat blade portion so as to be positioned at said inner surface of said elongated flat blade portion; (c) said elongated and straight clip attachment portion having a first end, a second end, an inner side and an outer side; (d) said inner surface of said elongated and straight clip attachment portion and said inner surface of said elongated flat blade portion being spaced-apart so as to define a space therebetween; (e) said elongated and straight clip attachment portion having a length which is shorter than the length of said elongated flat blade portion; (f) a flat return blade portion, having inner and outer sides and first and second ends, extending from said second end of said elongated and straight clip attachment portion into said space between said inner sides of said elongated flat blade portion and said elongated and straight clip attachment portion; (g) said inner side of said flat return blade portion being positioned between said inner side of said elongated and straight clip attachment portion from said first end of said flat return blade portion to said second end of said flat return blade portion, said straight clip attachment portion and said elongated flat blade portion being parallel to one another; and (h) said flat return blade portion and said elongated and straight flat blade portion configured to frictionally receive a portion of said Z girt in said space.
 19. In combination: a Z girt; an insulation retainer clip, comprising: (a) an elongated flat blade portion having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface; (b) an elongated and straight clip attachment portion extending from said second end of said elongated flat blade portion so as to be positioned at said inner surface of said elongated flat blade portion; (c) said elongated and straight clip attachment portion having a first end, a second end, an inner side and an outer side; (d) said inner surface of said elongated and straight clip attachment portion and said inner surface of said elongated flat blade portion being spaced-apart so as to define a space therebetween; (e) said elongated and straight clip attachment portion having a length which is shorter than the length of said elongated flat blade portion; (f) a flat return blade portion, having inner and outer sides and first and second ends, extending from said second end of said elongated and straight clip attachment portion at said outer side thereof; (g) said inner side of said flat return blade portion being positioned on said outer side of said elongated and straight clip attachment portion from said first end of said flat return blade portion to said second end of said flat return blade portion. said elongated and straight clip attachment portion and said flat blade portion being parallel to one another; and (h) said entire length of said inner side of said elongated and straight clip attachment portion being in abutting engagement with said portion of said Z girt which is in said space between said elongated flat blade portion and said elongated and straight clip attachment portion. 